description Big Levels Salamander Overview
The Big Levels salamander (Plethodon sherando) is a species of lungless salamander belonging to the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to the Big Levels area of Augusta County, Virginia, within the Blue Ridge Mountains. As a terrestrial plethodontid, it lacks lungs and respires through its skin, requiring the consistently moist microhabitats found in the region's forests.
help Big Levels Salamander FAQ
Where is the Big Levels salamander found?
Plethodon sherando is endemic to a small area of the central Blue Ridge Mountains in Augusta County, Virginia. Its known habitat includes heavily forested, rocky areas with high rainfall and nearby moisture.
How was the Big Levels salamander identified as a separate species?
Plethodon sherando was formally described as a new species in 2004 after researchers distinguished it from related woodland salamanders. Its geographic restriction and morphological differences helped establish the separate species.
How does the Big Levels salamander breathe without lungs?
Like other lungless Plethodon salamanders, it exchanges oxygen through its skin and the lining of its mouth. This makes moist forest-floor conditions especially important for keeping its respiratory surfaces functional.
What does the Big Levels salamander look like?
It can be dark gray to black, sometimes with pale side spotting and a reduced or absent reddish back stripe. Compared with the red-backed salamander, it tends to have a broader head and longer limbs.
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